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Thursday, May 29, 2014

Apologia Educational Ministries Review

Something you hear often in our society is how children need to understand their "self-worth" or "self-importance". But do we believe that as Christians? Do we believe that we can "be anything" or "do anything" we want to do? As a parent of small children it's something I have wrestled with myself. Let me tell you about the curriculum that I have recently had the honor of reviewing from Apologia Educational Ministries.

What on Earth Can I Do? by John Hay and David Webb, is the 4th volume in Apologia's What We Believe series and it answers some important "self-worth" questions from a Christian Worldview stand point. We have not had the opportunity to use the previous three volumes and this volume certainly can stand completely independent of the other three and be used first with no confusion.

Our family (with children ages 4,6, and 8) were all able to participate in this study (though the curriculum itself is recommended for children in grades 1-6) We received the What on Earth Can I Do? (hardback book), What On Earth Can I Do Notebooking Journal,What on Earth Can I Do? Junior Notebooking Journal and What on Earth Can I Do? Coloring Book.

The sections of the textbook are titled:

Your Story or God’s Story?

Who Put You In Charge?

Will You Be Found faithful?

Where is Your Treasure?

Where Does Your Time Go?

Whose Life Is It Anyway?

Why Isn’t It Easy Being Green?

What will Happen When the Master Returns?

Each section is approximately 30-40 pages long and each includes Scriptures to study and a prayer, as well as extensive information about the subject included in the text, usually an application story from a historical figure and then a discussion of the implications in your children's lives.

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While I would read a section from the textbook, the children would color one of the coloring pages. Because my children were on the younger end (and several of them younger than the recommended age group) this helped them concentrate on what was being read and discussed. Then we would all talk about the questions in our Notebooking Journal and my oldest would help write in the answers. The Notebooking journal has lots of writing opportunities for your older children to express their opinions and feelings about what they have read and also projects such as making a "tapestry" out of pictures from their lives to see how God is "weaving" them into the person He wants them to be.

There are lots of great "lapbook" type projects such as coloring pages, "fill-in-the-correct-word", and word puzzles in the Notebooking Journal Junior and these were helpful for my 6 and 8 year old to further understand what we were discussing. Each section has a scripture verse to work on memorizing together.

We have really been enjoying working on this homeschool resource together (which could easily be used a family devotional as well). It is very well written and engaging and lines up so well with what I have been trying to teach my children as well. Your self-worth comes from knowing and following God, not because of what you accomplish or who you become.

Can you imagine the impact if more children realized this Truth? That instead of feeling worthless because they don't think they are a smart, funny, talented or even as attractive as those around them, that they would see their worth through God's eyes who made them unique for a purpose and that they have a role and a job tailor-made for them by the God of the whole universe for His purpose and His Glory?!? Wow, this is so necessary and so powerful and I pray that God uses "What on Earth Can I Do?" for His glory and the furtherance of His Kingdom.

Some of the activities require some advance planning. A list of materials is provided with each activity. Most of the materials are household items or can be easily obtained.